Marcus Didius Falco, Roman private informer from the time of Emperor Vespasian, goes to Hispania (Roman Spain) to discover who attacked the imperial spy, Anacretes, and killed one of Anacrites' agent. A great picture of the key olive oil industry with, as always, a wonderful, knowledgable view of what Rome would've been like. Could've used a few less British slang terms. Of course, the ancient Romans would've had their own slang terms which would've confused readers. Except for Lindsay Davis. Another great novel from Falco's chronicler. ( )

This is a Marcus and Helena go to Spain, have a baby and solve an oil cartel problem on the side plot. I liked it, less than when I first read it many, many years ago.. I had forgotten most of the oil cartel plot points but it's the beginning of Marcus and Helena as a family, Anacrites has met Falco's mother and boy.. does that turn out to be a pain for our poor, suffering hero in the long run. Light reading with no consequences. ( )

Falco's number eight takes him to what's now southern Spain, trying to find out who tried to kill his old enemy, the chief spy. Meanwhile, back in Rome, Helena is about to give birth. Less compelling than some of the other novels, though the Spanish sidetrip is interesting, and one still cares about Falco and Helena. ( )

The murder of Rome's chief spy after a banquet that Marcus attends brings him back to the detective field in ancient Spain, in the city of Corduba and surroundings. Marcus has pledged to be there when Helena gives birth, so he must take her with him on his journey.

Wikipedia in English (1)

Marcus Didius Falco is ready to make new contacts and start a new career, and a dinner for the Society of Olive Oil Producers of Baetica seems like the perfect opportunity. But when two dinner guests are found beaten--one dead--Falco knows he cannot rest until he solves at least one more mystery.